Sunday, January 27, 2013

Edgar Degas, ballet dancers on the stage

Seated dancer in profile, 1873

Ballet dancers on the stage (1883)

Degas has placed himself slightly above the ballerinas, the graceful arms of six or seven intertwine, so we cannot tell whose limb belongs to whom. While the dancers are presumably on stage, perhaps they are in rehearsal, since they are apparently moving in different directions. The footlights illuminate three dancers’ faces from below, giving a harsh edge to the otherwise soft pastel technique.